Adventure Travel Blog

The 11 Best Castles in Ireland You Must Visit (2019)

Here are the best castles to visit in Ireland on your next trip. It’s pretty hard to visit Ireland and not wind up visiting a castle at least once during your travels. But with so many (over 30,000!) how do you know which ones are worth the trip? We’ve broken it down for you with a list of the best castles to visit in Ireland so that you can select from some of the best-known and most-loved options.

Whether you want to explore the ruins of a once magnificent fort or get a taste of medieval life in a well-maintained relic, you can get a little glimpse into the past during your trip to Ireland. From reenacted scenes featuring knights and royalty to elaborate banquet dinners in your very own castle, you may want to stay forever and never return to the present!

The Best Castles in Ireland – Table of Contents

The Best Castles in Ireland

1.) Malahide Castle & Gardens

Malahide Castle dates back to the year 1885 and was owned by the Talbot family for nearly 800 years, save for the period where, after Ireland’s conquest, Oliver Cromwell gave it to Miles Corbet, an English politician. When he was hanged after Cromwell’s downfall, the castle once again fell under Talbot ownership. The castle interiors are home to an array of artifacts from the castle’s tumultuous past, ranging from beautifully-made furniture to Victorian children’s toys.

If you’re into ghost stories, this could be your new favorite place. Malahide Castle is rumored to be the most haunted castle in the country, and given its bloody history, this is really no surprise. Many visitors have reported seeing various apparitions throughout the castle, and you could be next; if you’re looking for a bit of extra excitement during your wander through history, this is a great choice.

Insider tip: The surrounding gardens are a beautiful place for a guided walk and feature intricate glasshouses and even live peacocks!

2.) Bunratty Castle

Named for the Raite River which flows alongside the castle and into the nearby city of Shannon, the castle’s location has been occupied for over a millennium by Normans, Vikings, and later, Irish nobility. The first official structure was a defensive fortress built in 1250, and the lands were later granted to a lord who created the first stone structure. The current castle as it stands today was built by the MacNamara family in 1425.

The castle itself, along with Bunratty house, are both open to the public. It is also famous for its regular banquet meals, where you can book in for a traditional medieval four-course dinner, along with entertainment provided by the Bunratty Castle Singers – just so you can get the full experience of living in medieval luxury!

3.) Dunguaire Castle

Located on the shores of Galway Bay, Dunguaire Castle is as picturesque as they come (not to mention there are some seriously beautiful views from the castle towers of the lush green countryside below). The castle was constructed in 1520 and has been the site of many battles and sieges during that time. It was passed to a well-known local surgeon and author in 1924, who, being friends with poets & writers such as Yeats, is credited with a literary revival in the region.

The interior of the castle retains all the charm of medieval decor, with a banquet hall that hosts regular summer feasts for visitors. Its tower stands at 75 feet and looks out over the nearby town of Kinvarra.

Insider tip: Open only to the public in the summer months, but if you’re passing by in the off season, you can still stop to snap a few beautiful pictures.

4.) Blarney Castle

No list of the best castles to visit in Ireland would be complete without a mention of Blarney Castle. Probably the most famous castle in the country, Blarney Castle was originally a medieval stronghold built in 1446. Since it passed hands many different times throughout its history, the castle as it stands today is in partial ruins, but its charming wear and tear does not take away from its mythical quality.

But what Blarney Castle is perhaps best known for is the Blarney Stone – also known as the Stone of Eloquence. Visitors can (with assistance!) be hung upside down to kiss the stone, which is said to give the powers of eloquence and persuasiveness. The origin of the stone is unclear, but local legend dictates that it was a stone on which many ancient Irish kings were crowned.

Insider tip: Though you can’t really go inside it, there is a neat little Poison Garden on the grounds, with plants such as wolfsbane, mandrake, opium, and cannabis.

5.) Rock of Cashel Castle

The Rock of Cashel is more than just a castle; it is a collection of structures sitting atop a hill in Cashel, County Tipperary. On the walled plateau is the Round Tower (the oldest structure in the complex, dating from 1100), Cormac’s Chapel, and the Cashel Cathedral. There is also a nearby graveyard with burials of bishops and other notable figures throughout the region’s history. The Rock is also supposedly the site where St. Patrick converted a Munster King to Christianity, earning the castle another nickname of St. Patrick’s Rock.

The views from the top alone are well worth a visit, but add to that a beautiful and grandiose castle, cathedral, and chapel, and you’re left with an awe-inspiring site steeped in Irish lore and legend.

Insider tip: As this location is extremely highly visited in the summer months, book your tickets online ahead of time to avoid delays.

6.) Ross Castle

If you’ve ever wanted to live in a castle, this is probably your best shot. Ross Castle, while open to the public for regular touring, is also a well-liked B&B in the area, with room decor attempting to mirror the styles & design of the time (but still with modern conveniences). You can even opt for a room in the tower, for the most authentic castle experience.

Situated on the edge of Lough Leane, legend states that the original owner of the castle still rests in a deep sleep beneath the lough, rising only once every seven years to circle the castle astride a white horse. If you see him, don’t be afraid; the legend also states that witnesses to this miracle will be blessed with good fortune for the rest of their lives.

Originally built as a defensive structure, several interesting structures throughout the castle are the machicolations Machicolation are the stone structures holes placed over points of entry, for the sole defensive purpose of pouring hot oil over attempted invaders. Another interesting feature is the spiral staircase of uneven height built in a clockwise formation to be a disadvantage to right-handed sword wielders who attempt to climb the stairs. Then its slit-like windows to prevent entry, and provide a space for firing arrows. This Irish castle was built for war.

Insider tip: The surrounding grounds are expansive, and you can rent a bike to tour the area.

7.) Cahir Castle

One of the largest and best-preserved castles in Ireland, Cahir Castle stands atop an island on the Suir River in Cahir. Originally built as a top-tier defensive fortress, it was constructed on the site of a former stone fort called a Cathair, which gave the current castle its name.

The excellent audio-visual guided tours are the best way to tour the castle and really learn about the details of its history; guidebooks are available in several languages. Once you’ve had your fill of touring the castle, follow the path two kilometers along the river until you come to the Swiss Cottage. This was a nearby home owned by the Butlers (the same family that owned the castle grounds) and looks like something out of a woodland fairy tale.

8.) Doe Castle

As far as picturesque castles go, Doe Castle is way at the top of that list and is definitely one of the best castles to visit in Ireland. Built on the inlet of Sheephaven Bay, the castle was originally built as a stronghold and is, to this day, considered to have been one of the most secure and safest fortress castles of the time.

The castle is known for many of its tragic love story legends, such as the story of a young woman who fell in love with a Celtic chieftain. When her father learned of her love, he kidnapped and tortured the young man and killed him with his own sword at first light. The young woman, having seen this transpire from her window, jumped to her death in desperation. Locals affirm that you can sometimes spot a small rowboat carrying the two lovers together.

9.) Kylemore Abbey

Among the most photogenic structures in Ireland, Kylemore Castle is an imposing structure set into the hills lining the Pollacappall Lough. In 1920, a Benedictine Monastery was built on the site by nuns who fled Belgium during the First World War. Today, the grounds and interiors are open to visitors year-round, and the estate is over 1000 acres of architecture and nature walks, including an enormous Victorian Walled Garden and a neo-Gothic church.

The Abbey is home to many myths and legends, but perhaps none so famous as the Battle of the Giants, which tells the tale of two Irish giants, Cú Chulainn and Fionn McCool, fighting by launching stones at each other – one of which is still present on the grounds of the Abbey; you can even make a wish on it.

Cost: £14, which includes entrance to all parts of the castle grounds.

Insider tip: Check out the great little tea room for afternoon refreshments.

10.) Trim Castle

If this iconic castle looks at all familiar to you, it might be because you saw it in a little film called Braveheart, so it’s pretty easy to see why it’s considered one of the best castles to visit in Ireland. Trim Castle in County Meath is the largest Norman castle in Ireland. It was built in c. 1100 as a defense structure (its situation atop a hill overlooking the River Boyne put it in an ideal place to spot invaders and react accordingly). Its towers are truly a sight to behold; though a little ruined, this only adds to their beauty, as when standing within, you can look up the open, moss-covered turret and see the sky above.

To get the most out of your visit, consider taking a guided tour, as the guides are animated, knowledgeable, and informative. It’s a little piece of medieval history brought to life for an hour.

11.) Kilkenny Castle

If you’re looking for somewhere to spend an afternoon, it’s pretty easy to let the hours tick away at Kilkenny Castle. Sitting beside the River Nore, the castle is a symbol of medieval history from which the surrounding city grew. The grounds boast sprawlings gardens which contain a smaller rose garden, winding woodland pathways, and even an ornamental lake. They’re a charming place to wander around and imagine times long past.

Onsite is the Butler Art Gallery (formerly a servants’ quarters area) which hosts revolving displays of contemporary art. There is also a design center across the street, which features Irish crafts.

Insider tip: The castle’s tea room is well-liked for a quick afternoon cuppa.

Tollymore Castle – Castle in Ireland

What to Pack for Ireland

Rain Jacket

It should go without saying that the weather in Ireland can be a bit rainy, this is the most important item in your suitcase. You have two options for style of rain jackets. The first one we recommend is a classic outdoor rain jacket that is a solid choice for outdoor adventurers. The second option being a trench coat for those looking to maintain style while dodging puddles. One of the best raincoats for travel is the North Face Resolve.

Sweater

The fleece sweater is a perfect layer when combined with an outer shell to keep you warm. We purchased wool sweaters from independent retailers in Ireland, and good ones were fairly easy to find for a decent price. For those with less time a little bit of online shopping for wool sweaters will suffice. Start here!

Hiking Pants

are water resistant and dry quickly, not to mention they’re comfortable on long walks. These pants can be pretty ugly, but if you’re serious about exploring and hiking in Ireland I would suggest picking up a pair.

Boots

It’s wet in Ireland and you can expect a lot of boggy weather year round so packing a pair of good waterproof boots for hikes is crucial for protecting your feet. Good Boots or hiking shoes for Ireland are essential.

About the Author

Cameron

Cameron Seagle is one of the creative forces behind The World Pursuit. He is a writer and photographer for the travel website. Cameron has been traveling for the last four years. He found a passion for conservation and safari while living out of a truck in the African bush. Obsessed with finding the best gear and travel products, he loves to research new product releases. In his free time, you can find him shooting photographs, summiting mountains, and snowboarding. Cameron currently lives in Banff with his partner and blogging co-conspirator Natasha. Cameron's favorite countries are Ireland, Scotland, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Japan. And he can never resist an excellent beach destination.

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The World Pursuit

Welcome to the world, as seen through the eyes of Cameron and Natasha. On this site, you’ll find our experiences, photography, and informative travel guides. We love getting to off the beaten path destinations and aren’t afraid to go it alone. We hope to inspire other independent travelers and provide the resources to do so. If you want to find us, head to the nearest coffee shop or check back here!